Figure 2
From: Loss of serum response factor induces microRNA-mediated apoptosis in intestinal smooth muscle cells
Cellular changes in Srf KO smooth muscle. Cellular changes in jejunal smooth muscle at PT21 were examined with cell marker antibodies using confocal or electron microscopy. (a) Whole-mount images showing phenotypic changes of KO SMCs compared with WT SMCs. SMCs were labeled with anti-MYH11 antibodies. Arrowheads and arrows indicate longitudinal and circular SMCs, respectively. Note structural defect in KO SMCs. Whole-mount images of ICC network. ICCs were labeled with anti-KIT antibodies. Arrowheads and arrows indicate ICC-MY and ICC-DMP, respectively. Whole-mount images of neuronal ganglia that were labeled with anti-PGP9.5 antibodies. Arrowheads and arrows indicate neuronal cells in ganglia and exons running in the muscle, respectively. High-magnification images (H) of neuronal cells are shown. Note significant neuronal cells were lost in KO ganglia. (b) Ultrastructural changes of KO and WT circular SMCs (CM). WT SMCs show normal ultrastructural features. The contour of KO SMCs is irregular and the extracellular space between the SMCs is wider than WT SMCs. A high magnification (H) of an irregular KO SMC is shown. A cellular fragmentation of a KO SMC surrounded by apoptotic bodies (SMC-AB: arrows). Ultrastructures of a MY ganglion (MG) containing neuronal cells (N) between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers in WT and KO muscle are shown. MLCs are observed within the ganglia. Arrows indicate lysosomes in the MLC (M). Asterisks show the damaged area within the ganglion. Ultrastructures of ICC-MY and ICC-DMP in WT and KO are shown. ICC-MY (IC) are located between circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers and characterized by electron-dense cytoplasm and many mitochondria. ICC-DMP (IC) are closely associated with nerve bundles (N)
